An Adelaide father has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sexual crimes against his daughter.
WARNING: This story contains details readers may find distressing.
The southern suburbs man — who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity — was arrested in November 2021, for sexually abusing his daughter while she was between the ages of three and five, and disseminating material of that abuse.
District Court Judge Anthony Allen said the father had demonstrated a "devious course of conduct" and it was the most serious example of child abuse involving a single victim.
During his sentencing remarks, Judge Allen said he decided to limit the disclosure of the details of his offending due to the "gross depravity involved".
The judge said undercover Queensland police investigating sex crimes discovered the images online.
"Those images had been taken recently and had been posted by a user who had a certain online identity," Judge Allen said.
"That user was you."
The court heard the man had spoken to an undercover police officer, and Queensland police handed their findings to South Australian police which led to his arrest.
He pleaded guilty to a swathe of offences including maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and possessing, producing, and disseminating child exploitation material.
The court heard that after his arrest, his mobile phone was found with 130 video files and 328 images of child exploitation material.
Police also found 51 videos and two images of child exploitation on his laptop.
Police exposed to 'traumatising' material
Judge Allen said the man provided police with the login details to two online accounts, where they discovered further images which the ABC has chosen not to detail.
"The seriousness of your offending cannot be underestimated," Judge Allen said.
The court heard the girl has night terrors and her behaviour in external environments including school and swimming lessons had been escalating.
The court heard the father's actions beyond his immediate offending had led to "collateral damage".
"[The child's] foster carers have been affected by your behaviour," Judge Allen said.
"Police involved in the investigation of your crimes, have been exposed to material which can only be described as traumatising."
The court heard the southern suburbs man had a traumatic upbringing and was bullied at school.
Judge Allen said the man had been in a "grossly" dysfunctional relationship with the girl's mother.
"When your relationship broke down, DCP (Department of Child Protection) were not prepared to give custody to the mother," Judge Allen said.
He was given a non-parole period of just over 11 years.
